In Reaper, the Native Instruments software is used via the VST plug-in interface. In order to use your NI plug-ins in Reaper, you must ensure that it scans the folders where your NI VST plug-ins are located. This article describes this procedure for both Mac and Window systems.
Mac
On a Mac computer, all VST files are automatically installed to a default folder so you do not need to define a VST folder during the installation of your NI product. The VST plug-in folder is located here:
- Macintosh HD > Library > Audio > Plug-Ins > VST
Reaper automatically scans this folder at each startup and recognizes any new plug-in that has been installed.
PC
VST3 plug-ins are installed to C > Program Files > Common Files > vst3 by default. This location does not have to be added to the plug-in window in Reaper as it is already added by default.
Installing the NI VST Plug-ins
On a Windows computer, the VST plug-ins can be installed to any location on your hard drive. We strongly recommend to use the default installation paths offered by Native Access:
- C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > VSTPlugins 64 bit
- C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > VSTPlugins 32 bit
If you want to install the VST plug-ins to a different location, you can set the path in Native Access before the installation, as explained in this article.
Adding the NI VST folder to Reaper
- Start Reaper and navigate to Options > Preferences...:
- Choose VST from the side menu:
In VST plug-in paths there are some locations added by default. These are the Steinberg 32 and 64 bit VST locations and the VST3 default location. We recommend that you leave these locations in place and simply add the NI VST location.
- Click the Edit path list... button and choose Add path...
- Select the folder where your plug-ins are located on your hard drive and press OK to proceed. In our example, we select the default Native Instruments 64-bit plug-ins folder VSTPlugins 64 bit.
- The new path is now listed in Reaper's plug-in paths. Press the Re-scan... button to rescan the folders listed.
- Press OK to close the preferences window.
Your NI plug-ins can now be loaded in Reaper.